13.2G: Agglutination of Microorganisms

Discuss the how antibodies defend the body by agglutinating microorganisms. (Include what classes or isotypes of immunoglobulins are involved, the role of the Fab portion of the antibody, the role - if any - of the Fc portion of the antibody, and the role of any complement proteins, if any, involved.)

Agglutination is mainly a function of antibodies with multiple reactive Fab sites such as IgM and IgA. The Fab portion of the antibodies links microorganisms together (causes them to agglutinate) so they can be phagocytosed more effectively (see Fig. 1).

Summary

Agglutination is mainly a function of antibodies with multiple reactive Fab sites such as IgM and IgA. The Fab portion of the antibodies links microorganisms together (causes them to agglutinate) so they can be phagocytosed more effectively.

Questions

Study the material in this section and then write out the answers to these questions. Do not just click on the answers and write them out. This will not test your understanding of this tutorial.

Discuss how antibodies defend the body by agglutinating microorganisms. (Include what classes or isotypes of immunoglobulins are involved, the role of the Fab portion of the antibody, the role, if any, of the Fc portion of the antibody, and the role of any complement proteins, if any, involved.) (ans)

State why IgM and IgA are good at causing agglutination of microorganisms. (ans)

Contributors

Dr. Gary Kaiser (COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, CATONSVILLE CAMPUS)